“A letter written by Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton and signed by forty-six other senators was sent to the Iranian leadership earlier this week that threatens a possible international agreement that the Obama administration is attempting to reach. With the deadline looming on March 24th this has seen as active sabotage and possibly even treason in a move that has never been seen by the Senate in the entire history of the United States.”

“Tomorrow, 24 hours later, Cotton will appear at an ‘Off the Record and strictly Non-Attribution’ event with the National Defense Industrial Association, a lobbying and professional group for defense contractors.

“The NDIA is composed of executives from major military businesses such as Northrop Grumman, L-3 Communications, ManTech International, Boeing, Oshkosh Defense and Booz Allen Hamilton, among other firms.”

I am old enough to remember when, back in 2006, I argued that the United States should let Iran keep 164 centrifuges in stand-by mode during talks. Do you know what people said? “164 centrifuges? Are you mad? You are giving away the store to the Iranians!” Well, now Iran has more than 15,000 centrifuges (that we know about) in at least two sites.

…

The people arguing now for a “better” deal at some later date are the same people who in 2006 said 164 centrifuges was way too many and, that if we just held out long enough, we’d haggle the Iranians down to zero. Look what that got us.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress was eloquent, moving and intelligent in identifying the problems with the potential nuclear deal with Iran. But when describing the alternative to it, Netanyahu entered never-never land, painting a scenario utterly divorced from reality. Congress joined him on his fantasy ride, rapturously applauding as he spun out one unattainable demand after another.

Netanyahu declared that Washington should reject the current deal, demand that Tehran dismantle almost its entire nuclear program and commit never to restart it. In the world according to Bibi, the Chinese, Russians and Europeans will cheer, tighten sanctions, and increase pressure — which would then lead Iran to capitulate. “Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough,” said Peter Pan.

We have some history that can inform us on the more likely course. Between 2003 and 2005, under another practical…

So, what to make of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress?

How about 100% political theater, shocking, and gravely concerning. Very dangerous political theater of the kind performed by George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Tony Blair during their lies in the run up to the 2003 invasion/war on Iraq. Shocking in its brazen attempt to intentionally deceive. And gravely concerning for its message with clear warnings and threats of a repeat of Iraq War-scale violence in the Middle East.

According to nearly every serious analyst of the Middle East, Netanyahu’s speech was filled with inaccuracies, tough-sounding unrealistic falsehoods, and dramatically delivered, complete obfuscations. However, what is most important to remember about Netanyahu’s speech was the inherent, real danger of his message.

Because Netanyahu’s speech can only be described as a declaration of war against Iran.

Many will remember the days in 2003 before George W. Bush unleashed “Operation Shock and…